Opinion
What to do when SQL servers can't keep up with data demands

In the near future, IoT will be everywhere – not just in your fitness monitor or your thermostat, but in every stoplight, in factories, in your mirror, etc. And the more ways that we adopt IoT – the more data we collect from our environments, clients, or products – the faster SQL servers need to perform.

Many businesses are feeling the pressure on their SQL servers already and we’re nowhere near peak data collection. Can your system keep up with data demands? Any number of problems could be making your server sluggish.

Hardware Vs. Software

As with most technology issues, software and hardware are equally important for proper SQL performance, but hardware is of particular concern right now because of the rapid increase in total data. If your data storage is out of date, choose a new system that’s highly scalable. Target one that is reliable for long-term use. If, for example, you select one with the ability to support 384 cores and 24 TB of RAM, it may as well be limitless. At the very least, you won’t find yourself in need of an upgrade in the near future.

On the software side, there are several factors you’ll want to consider since SQL performance isn’t just about speed but also data processing style. However, one way to gauge whether or not your software is up to the current data load is by performing regular response time analysis. Using response time analysis software, you can determine if your database is returning query responses within the normal time frame and identify bottlenecks and other problems within the system.

Driven By Data Styles

Another factor that contributes to SQL server performance is the relationship between the data type and volume and the protocols used to process it. For example, the best protocol for an in-house computer system, in which all the data is directly accessible, will inevitably perform more quickly than a remote server downloading information from IoT devices.

Why does this matter? As we embrace broader IoT rollout, more people will be using wearable devices for medical purposes – and a slight change in data can indicate serious health problems. These devices need high bandwidth and the fastest server response times in order to push necessary alerts along quickly. On the other hand, analysis driven programs can afford to have slower SQL within limits. Choose a platform and protocol that match your speed needs.

Cloud Considerations

If anything is likely to change SQL server performance in the next few years, it will be the introduction of 5G connectivity and cloud-based systems. First, the launch of 5G will enhance remote system connection, breaking down front line communication delays necessary for server-side operations.

Cloud storage, on the other hand, will be a boon to scalability. As with cloud-based SaaS, cloud storage is regularly updated, eliminating network upgrade delays and preventing slowdowns caused by insufficient storage within the system. Additionally, many companies prefer to operate via the cloud for security and stability reasons. Even with replication throughout, onsite physical operating systems tend to be much more prone to damage or failure than cloud storage.

With more companies moving to cloud-based storage systems, choosing the proper protocols will be more important than ever, so companies should emphasize working with cloud companies that are knowledgeable about your data niche. This can push query response times ahead of the competition, despite similar storage systems.

Down the road, business success will be largely contingent on SQL query speeds, determining factors like customer service quality and network reliability. This means bolstering not just storage volume but upkeep practices, such as regularly measuring response time and upgrading the network. Keeping huge volumes of data in play without processing delays is a challenge and the quickest companies will win the bulk of clients.